Natural Remedies for Ear Issues

The ear is a complex and critical part of the body. Hearing loss, pain, infection, and a host of other problems can afflict the ear. Natural remedies for ear issues include hydrogen peroxide, supplements, and herbs, depending on the particular issue.

The list below will take you to specific pages for a variety of ear related problems.

Hi Lucille - I have had excruciating pain while flying - especially during takeoff and landing - although my ear would constantly ache during the flight. I rarely fly now but, when I have to, I use something called Earplanes - a silicone plug that fits into your ear to regulate pressure. They are available in most drugs stores - in the aisle with eye and ear care and, of course, at the airport (more expensive there). It should do the trick. Good luck! Bess

Try an "earpopper" to clear your ears when you are flying. You can find them on the internet. Good Luck, as I know from Experience how painful this condition is, and sometimes it takes about 5 days for your ears to unblock. Regards, Florence

Note: This was written with children in mind, but applies to adults as well.

Solutions:
*Give babies/kids the appropriate dose of Benedryl (or other decongestant) 20 minutes before takeoff/landing, to prevent ear/sinus squeeze, and to quiet them, especially if they are congested, anxious/cranky.
*Before take-off/landings make "Angel Cups" for babies/kids ears: bring with you or ask the filght attendant for 2 Styrofoam cups (2 for each kid) with a moist steaming paper towel stuffed deeply and snugly in the very bottom of the cup. Have child put cups over their ears, and listen for angels during ascent/descent (parent hold cups for babies). The heat inside the cup will soften/moisturizes the eardrum and make it more flexible so it can expand/contract with altitude changes, so the child feels no discomfort/pain! Kids listening intently and watching out for angles provides both distraction and entertainment, lessening everyone's anxiety. Fortunately, Angels do whisper inside the cups (like ocean waves in seashells) aided by plane noises. If the angles aren't whispewring loud enough, the parent can lightly tickle the cup from behind.* Parent must also be vigilant and teach children to equalize ear pressure themselves as soon as any ear discomfort is felt, and not to procrastinate until it becomes painful:

While flying (especially landing) I always had to chew gum and keep swallowing to keep from having paid for days afterward. Sometimes nothing I could do was enough. Then one day, waiting for my flight, I found Ear-Planes. They are little earplugs that keep making a little "swush" sound when the pressure is released equalizing the pressure inside the ear with that inside the plane. They worked for two flights both ways before they needed replacing. I never had any pain or after affects of blocked hearing again. Well worth the few bucks.

I have had ear pain when flying ever since when I was a teenager and an airline pilot "forgot" to depressurize the cabin until AFTER we were on the ground. I can handle pain (I've had 3 babies without drugs), and I was CRYING in pain.

Well, since then I have had ear pain when flying. The products "earplanes" work for me (and I bought kid size ones for my kids, they work for them as well).

I also get terrible sinus headaches when flying. Tylenol only could do so much. An ear/nose/throat doctor recommended any saline nasal spray before and while flying to prevent the headaches...and it WORKS! You have to do the nasal spray at an angle (pressing against the middle of the nasal bone, angled outward). For bad sinus headaches not flying I use a nasal spray with capsicum and it helps A LOT. That teeny tiny bit of hot pepper does sting for a few moments, but worth it to get rid of the terrible long-lasting sinus / migraine headache.

Chiropractic Adjustment

I've read about ear infections being healed by a chiropractor. I referred my friend to a chiropractor when she had an ear infection that didn't get better with antibiotics. She thought it was strange. Before she walked out to the chiropractors office, her infection was draining. It's weird how all those little nerve ending can be pinched and with manipulation solve the problem.

Chiropractic and Bee Proplis

Out of desperation I took my then 4 year old to a chiropractor for ear infections. It was recommended by a friend who's daughter was also plagued with ear infections. We had tried the traditional route, antibiotics, tubes, tonsil and adenoid removal. Still the child had ear infections. I really had no faith, but it was worth a try. The doc manipulated the neck, ears and back. Also put the child on bee propolis, we called it bee medicine. It worked, traditional doctors were not fixing the problem, just treating the symptoms. We started by going every day other day for a couple of weeks, then once a week, ever other week. This treatment went on for a year or so. Which was fine, my dear son finally got some relief. I asked the chiro what was causing this. He told me the nerves extending down the neck were crimped. Causing the ear infections, until the nerves were straightened out he would have ear infections. I was not a chiropractor believer until this. I now use one for my allergies. I found out my neck was curved in a whiplash type position causing all of my sinus problems. It's worth a try, isn't it?

Just thought I would share that this was in 1994/95. My son never had another ear infection. YIPPPEE

Colloidal Silver

For ear issues, consider trying colloidal silver. I've been using it for over 25 years and I can't believe the things it has cured or helped with, I also have fibromyalgia and injuries caused from a fall and magnesium and colloidal silver are to 2 things that save me everyday and when I was told I had Otosclerosis and would be deaf in 2 years I went home and used silver in my ears and have done it a few times now but that was 4 years ago and my hearing has only dropped slightly in one ear but I am also 52 years old so that could be from aging, I only ever buy silver I never try to make it the 2 brands Iv used are natures treasures and ultimate colloidal silver I believe some brands would be better than others check the ppm on the bottles, it really is a miracle in a bottle, Google colloidal silver cues there is over 700 uses for it that I have found 😄😄😄

PS the story about the blue man is very suspect and he made his own but using salt, I use it most days and so did my children from the age of babies, I hope this helps somebody whether it ears or another problem ....

Electrolytes

I'd like to share my experience with ear pain in the hope that others might benefit from it.

About every seven years, I'd come down with fluid in the middle ear. This resulted in tinnitus, clogged Eustachian tubes, and painful middle ear pressure. Sometimes it was so painful that it was all I could do to make it through the day. Other times, I couldn't even do that.

Doctors always told me that it was caused by either a virus or an allergy, and that I would just have to ride it out.

The only thing I ever found that helped was taking magnesium supplements, which greatly reduced the middle ear pressure.

Eventually I figured out the root cause of my problem: electrolyte imbalance. Middle ear fluid is all about electrolytes, and whenever mine got severely out of balance (usually as a result of eating mega-doses of potassium rich foods) my "ear infection" would begin. In an attempt to make myself healthier, I was actually making myself sick.

Sodium and potassium work in concert, so it's important to find some semblance of balance between the two. The same holds true for magnesium and calcium. And while these balances probably vary from person to person (depending upon their underlying health issues), I encourage anyone suffering from tinnitus, clogged Eustachian tubes, or middle ear pressure to explore the possibility that it might be the result of an electrolyte imbalance.

It's only taken me fifteen years to figure this out, and I hope it helps someone.....

Thanks for sharing this information. I too have been suffering from middle ear problems and a blocked Eustachean tube in the left ear. The Eustachean tube blockage happened after an ear infection a couple of years ago. Since then the ear feels as if the pathway is inflamed but no pain. Bad hearing is a hard. They say I have small ear canals. Anyway it is hard to find anything that helps so this is wonderful....thank you for sharing as it at least gives me something to try.

Thank you!!! I am a 41 year old woman who has never had an ear infection before - but I started the ketogenic diet a little over a month ago & recently started having ear pain. I am extremely healthy & all I could think was... This must have something to do with electrolytes - because I started getting foot & leg cramps at the same time. Thank you so much for giving me confirmation! I've upped my dose of potassium over the past few days. I wonder if that's exacerbating the problem? I will definitely be more conscious of my magnesium supplementation. Thank you so much!! Now I just need to figure out the ideal electrolytes ratios!

I am so glad I read Michelle's comment! I was searching ketosis flu and itchy ears. It seems I have dived headfirst into ketosis and am having some very extreme symptoms today, including itchy ears! They're itching like crazy and I knew there had to be a reason, as there always is with our bodies. I'm heating up some bone broth now and just took an extra magnesium/potassium supplement.

Thank you, thank you thank you for this post. I had earaches a lot as a child. I have hard ear wax and sometimes it gets impacted. I have noticed that sometimes when I drink sports drinks I get dizzy and feel head pressure. I wasn't sure exactly what was causing it, but the potassium explanation makes sense. Thank you!

Hydrogen Peroxide

So far my ear has improved using Hydrogen Peroxide, but its been slow! It all began when I visited the doctor(not my usual Dr as he was off - ill! ) due to build up of wax, and I knew I needed my ears syringing. However the doctor said I had an ear infection and required antibiotics, and that my ears were in fact clear of wax!

After a week I returned to see my regular Dr, and he told me I did need my ears syringing! He was shocked when I told him about the previous Dr! So after a week off I went to have my ears syringed, something I have had done many times before without any problems. Alas, this time I ended up getting an ear infection in the left ear!

The skin on my outer ear was peeling off and really sore - inside the ear was so itchy, and my ear was(still is)weeping. One evening the pain was that bad I saw an out of hours Dr, who prescribed me with more antibiotics(the pain was in my ear, side of my face and was also giving me headaches, plus I had pain in my teeth! ).

Yesterday I returned to see my regular Dr and he checked my ear, and gave me more antibiotics!!! When the ear first began troubling me I couldn't get a cotton bud down the channel, now I can make it part of the way, like I say its a slow healing process. I am now thinking is it more than an ear infection? I have a small polyp in my left nostril, and I am thinking could this be the beginning of an ear polyp? After the first Dr said it was an ear infection not too much wax, then the second Dr said it was wax and I needed my ears syringing I do not have any confidence in either of their diagnosis!

I will persist with the Hydrogen Peroxide but am thinking about giving the juice of an onion a trial run! I would appreciate any thoughts on what may be the problem with my ear, and if their are any other remedies.

I was always told not to ever put mineral oil into the ear as it will wear away the little fibers in your ear that help you hear. When these get coated with oils they wear down and you end up with hearing loss.

There is nothing that an ear specialist can do, except recommend hydrocortisone and it will not cure the problem.(So mine dr said along with others I've read). Had to go to an ear/nose/throat specialist recently due to both ears having dermatitis and one ear also had a clogged up and had a fungal infection. He was no help for the dermatitis only the fungal infection cleared.

Had this problem acutely for 9 mos. Tried all recommendations here (except DMSO). Along with essential oils, coconut oil, acv, hydrogen peroxide you name, I tried it it to no avail. (over 15 things) Then went from high AZ desert to Hawaii for a few months. Found a neem salve along with ocean swimming was cured for several months, when I returned to high desert it again came back for months. Again trying everything and other things, tried manuka honey, neem balm, and more oils etc and while some things helped nothing cured the problem. So I read about a hundred or more articles/comments/med advice etc until I found a Chinese medicine natural cream called Shi Zhen Ling. It's curing it, finally. It can be found on ebay or amazon. Relief at last.

I am so excited! I was patient and it actually worked! I am no stranger to home remedies, but I just was not getting results flushing my right ear. I am a professional voice over artist. It's cool to hear out of one ear, but better if you can use two.

Over the Columbus Day Weekend my right ear stopped up, just like my left had the previous week. I cleaned the left ear with a Q-Tip, dumped a little peroxide in it, and it went right back to normal.

For some reason, my right ear was not as responsive. The blockage caused at least a 40% reduction in my hearing. You can't really assess how well you are reading copy with one ear.

This is the first time in my life that my hearing actually was tied to my way of life. So, instead of keeping peroxide in my ear for a minute or two, I did what earth clinic suggested, and after three applications or 10 to 15 minutes, BAM, my hearing was back!

Thank you so much. This site is officially in my health folder bookmarks!

Onion Juice

I used to have chronic dizziness off and on for a few years. I was told it might be benign positional vertigo. After a while the dizziness got worse and I noticed that when I did the "pop your ears" (pinch your nostrils and gently exhale air through your ears to aerate your eustachion tube) thing there would be a crackly sound in my right ear.

My doctor saw no sign of infection with the otoscope. However, he gave me an antibiotic and then an anti fungal to no effect, ditto hydrogen peroxide and iodine and venetian violet had no effect. When I prayed about it (gotta give credit where credit is due but of course you can edit this if you like) the word "onion" came to me later.

On the net I then saw a nurse and others using onion juice to treat ear infections. I put one in a blend with water and then put the mush through a mesh strainer. Next I put that liquid through a thin cloth placed over a glass. I kept this liquid in the fridge.

The liquid went into my ear through an eye dropper. Actually first it went into the palm of my hand to warm it up. After the ear canal was full I would then pop my ears and then suck inward hard and swallow (don't know if that part was necessary or not, just trying to make sure it got under the ear drum). Then I would massage below the earlobe and down through the jaw line as the nurse said, for about 10 times.

It took a few days, several times a day, to get better. Finally something worked!

Re onion being antibacterial, someone I know used green onions, fairly strongly, in a small green smoothie drink to heal diarrhea. Worked for her, though I found cayenne pepper also did the trick.

Juice an Onion, don't worry if you don't get much out of it as you only need a couple of drops. I have a syringe. Place a couple of drops in the infected ear. It may feel a little warm as Onion has a natural warmth. Do this as soon as the pain is noticed and just before bed. If pain continues next day seek the help of a Doctor. I have never had to use more than 2 doses to clear up any ear infection. But of course I have never left an infection to go rampant. I have 6 kids and never used antibiotics for ear infection as I have used Onions- The Natural Antibiotic.

Oregano Oil

Just wanted to add a comment that oregano oil completely cured my ear infection without the need for putting anything in the ear canal.

I had a perforated eardrum which was starting to heal, however I managed to pick up an infection in the inner ear area. My jaw became very painful, could barely chew and was on soft food only.

A long time fan of earthclinic, I looked through the comments and decided that since having a perforated eardrum, I shouldn't put anything in the ear canal itself. What I did do was use oregano oil both under the tongue and externally on the ear.

3 times a day I placed 5 drops under my tongue, and 2-3 drops on my hand then rubbed that onto my ear, behind the lobe and covered as much of it as possible. I also applied a couple of drops to the skin outside of my jaw hinge, giving it a massage at the same time to encourage blood flow.

Results: I was slightly worse off the first morning, however it was all improvements after that. Roughly 20% improvement a day. Now on day 6 and things are 95% back to normal. Amazing.

Warnings: It should be noted that I used a brand of oregano oil that is cut with olive oil. Straight oregano oil is too strong to use on it's own under the tongue or externally. Also, this may or may not be relevant depending on your work place, but it smells pretty intense when you first apply it! I ended up having to skip the lunchtime external application on work days, so just 2x day, however still took it under the tongue 3x day.

Earthclinic has helped me out many times over the years and this is the first time I've felt compelled to provide my own feedback (as there wasn't much on there for this ailment). So grateful for everyone that has taken the time to share their knowledge, and to the sites owners for putting it all together. May it long continue.

Otosclerosis Remedies

Posted by Suzieg13 (Poplar Grove, Il, Usa) on 01/18/2012

I have 2 friends state their doctors have told them they have calcium deposits on the small bones in their ears. It caused some loss of hearing in one friend, and the other some dizziness. The doctors told my friends that it is just part of the aging process and to get used to it. Each friend has sought a second opinion with the same results. Looking on the internet the medical term I believe is otosclerosis. Does anyone have information or remedies to get rid of the calcium deposits and help with this type of disorder.

To Susieg13 from Poplar Grove, Il. I've had that same problem with my hearing for many years and I've had 2 surgeries on my right ear. The first one back around 1986 didn't work, but I still had my right ear with good hearing in it. But back in 2001 my hearing had gotten so bad that all my friends said I had to get hearing aids and thank goodness that I can hear with these. I did have a bad experience with the ear that had had the first surgery on it, the stapese that the doctor put in actually fell into my ear drum and the second surgery that was performed had to remove it and implant it back where it was supposed to be, but my hearing still wasn't strong enough to not wear my hearing aids.

I thank the Lord everyday for my hearing aids. I hope this helps and I wish your friends could fine a solution without surgery, but there are so many new things happening with that and it's possible that they could clean your stapese and then reinsert it. Also the new hearing aids are wonderful. They are digital and have a great sound. Good luck.

I have otosclerosis, and I have done a lot of research on it. I am determined to have my body heal itself naturally. I have not gained full hearing yet as I am still working on it. I have had otoscerosis for 11 years now and I am nearly deaf in one ear and 1/2 deaf in the other. I have learned some valuable answers to this question.

First, eating a raw diet would be an excellent idea. This is because the person with otoscleosis would be getting the best nutrition possible. Also eating raw food takes up less valuable energy that can be used for healing. Get lots of rest, that is when the body does its healing. Stay away from caffine because it leaches out valuable calcium and magnesium. Lay off of salt, this will help with the ringing in the ears go away. Also no processed sugars. Take vitamin D, K, Calcium Magnesium for sure. With eating a raw diet the rest vitamins and minerals will be easily obtained. With this alone I have experienced some hearing return.

I understand that with otosclerosis it is a mineral defeciency of magnesium and there for calcium is being deposited on the stapes bone. This would be similar to a bone spur, kidney stone, and atherosclerosis. Does the person have any of those symptoms or how about achey joints, anxiety (panic attacks), or brittle or ridged nails. These are all symptoms of magnesium defeciency. I can say I have suffered from achey joints, anxiety and ridged nails.

It is said by doctors that pregnancy can set it off. That makes some sense because when a woman is pregnant she needs even more nutrition for her baby. This makes it even harder to obtain the right amounts of vitamins and minerals and a multi-vitamin isn't going to be enough. This puts her at greater risk of developing defeciencies which will cause her otosclerosis to become set off or even worsen. This is why we need to lay off of bad foods, and eat good nutritious raw fruits and tons of raw vegetables.

Another helpful thing to do would be to get all mercury amalgams removed, I have not done this yet because it would be very expensive for me.

I would also suggest going to see a chiropractor. They would get the nerves back in line with the hearing so the ears could receive optimal messages from the brain. They would work with the neck, facial bones, and jaw. This would be a very important step. This alone will be a long process.

With proper nutrition, chiropractic, rest, and sunshine, I believe the body will heal itself. The body does not get sick due to old age, but rather a build up of toxins and a long term defeciency in vitamins and minerals.

I used to have a problem with my ears getting red and hot. It seemed to be when I was overheated and not sweating. My theory is that I had mild anhidrosis. I have not had this problem in years, though. It is possible it is because my body is more alkaline now.

You might look at the pages on Anhidrosis and try some of the remedies there. I like taking 1 Tablespoon of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar in 12 ounces of water a couple of times a day for Alkalizing. But one lady on those pages used baking soda.

A "band aid" type solution would be to keep a sock 2/3 full or rice (and tied off) in your freezer to hold on your ear when it is feeling burned.

I may be totally off base in my thoughts here, but your post reminded me of a similar problem in my past. I hope you find relief. I remember it being quite uncomfortable.

Vestibular Rehabilitation

I had problems with one ear for a long time and was always told it was an ear infection. Then I found out about "vestibular rehabilitation" and saw a physiotherapist who specialized in that. Within a few months, I was completely better. It's something to look into and worth it.